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Did Josh Marshall oppose John Brennan for CIA chief?
On November 21st the Huffington Post reported that alarmed "Obama supporters" were exhorting president-elect Barack Obama not to name torture-loving warmonger John Brennan as CIA chief. And it worked. A few days later Brennan withdrew his name from the competition and blamed the liberal blogosphere.
But Josh Marshall, who yesterday defended Obama's decision to keep Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense, did not show a similar level of enthusiasm when it came to opposing the more controversial Brennan, who had been so close to being awarded the spot that he had begun recruiting his own team.
In fact, I looked in the archives and found that Marshall did not even type the word "Brennan" once in the whole month of November, at least before Brennan's withdrawal.
I have no major beef against Gates, but in light of Marshall's silence, is it fair to say that he is so deep in the tank that his bias prevents him from joining the likes of Glen Greenwald, Anonymous Liberal, etc., in exerting pressure on Obama when needed?
Marshall's posts:
November 23-29:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_23.php
November 16-22:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_16.php
November 9-15:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_09.php
November 2-8:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_02.php
But Josh Marshall, who yesterday defended Obama's decision to keep Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense, did not show a similar level of enthusiasm when it came to opposing the more controversial Brennan, who had been so close to being awarded the spot that he had begun recruiting his own team.
In fact, I looked in the archives and found that Marshall did not even type the word "Brennan" once in the whole month of November, at least before Brennan's withdrawal.
I have no major beef against Gates, but in light of Marshall's silence, is it fair to say that he is so deep in the tank that his bias prevents him from joining the likes of Glen Greenwald, Anonymous Liberal, etc., in exerting pressure on Obama when needed?
Marshall's posts:
November 23-29:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_23.php
November 16-22:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_16.php
November 9-15:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_09.php
November 2-8:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2008_11_02.php
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You don't need to get involved with every fight. Sometimes it makes a lot more sense to just sit back and watch people who are more knowledgable or better informed who seem to have things well in hand.
Also there is a tendency to let Obama, who has shown proof of rather remarkable judgement throughout the campaign, to choose who he wants. My sense of Brennan is he would work hard to pursue whatever Obama's policy is, which is why people don't like him since he was willing to do that for Bush as well.
My guess is he would have served Obama very well but I do agree that there should be consequences for past actions and positions so I'm not at all sad to see him go.
As for Josh Marshall not taking a stand: I don't come here to read Josh Marshall's opinions. I don't mind reading them as he is both intelligent and articulate but I'm far more interested in what issues he feels are newsworthy as this is where TPM excels in my opinion.
November 27, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
"My sense of Brennan is he would work hard to pursue whatever Obama's policy is, which is why people don't like him since he was willing to do that for Bush as well."
I.e., he is an advocate of torture and a timeserving pestilence on the nation.
But he would "work hard to pursue whatever Obama's policy is." Sounds reassuring to me.
November 27, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, he's gone, so what's your point?
November 27, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That one of Obama's better qualities is his ability to recognize mistakes when they're pointed out to him.
This means that critics can play a uniquely constructive role here.
November 27, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
So it's okay to criticize Obama's choices? Good to know.
After all the reassurances that people like Mukasey and Alito gave on their way into confirmation, you'd think we'd learn not to trust anyone, "remarkable judgment" or not.
November 28, 2008 4:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
As with all Media, One should weigh what is missing any site and expect to balance it in the future with other sites if reality is desired.
November 27, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink